, D , IN THE INCOME TAX APPELLATE TRIBUNAL KOLKATA BENCH D KOLKATA BEFORE SHRI J.SUDHAKAR REDDY, ACCOUNTANT MEMBER AND SHRI S.S.GODARA, JUDICIAL MEMBER ITA NO.382/KOL/2018 ASSESSMENT YEAR: 2010-11 MODEL FUELS PVT. LTD., C/O RSVPC & COMPANY, 41A, A.J.C.BOSE ROAD, SUITE NO.613, 6 TH FLOOR, KOLKATA-700 017 [ PAN NO.AABCM 8951 E ] / V/S . INCOME TAX OFFICER, WARD-3(3), P-7, CHOWRINGHEE SQUARE, AAYAKAR BHAWAN, KOLKATA-69 /APPELLANT .. /RESPONDENT /BY APPELLANT SHRI LOKESH MISHRA, AR /BY RESPONDENT SHRI S.HALDAR, SR-DR /DATE OF HEARING 19-12-2018 /DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT 26-12-2018 /O R D E R PER S.S.GODARA, JUDICIAL MEMBER:- THIS ASSESSEES APPEAL FOR ASSESSMENT YEAR 2010-11 ARISES AGAINST THE COMMISSIONER OF INCOME TAX (APPEALS)-1, KOLKATAS O RDER DATED 29.01.2018 PASSED IN CASE NO.ITBA/APPEAL_1/2017-18/1007753670(1), INV OLVING PROCEEDINGS 271(1)(C) OF THE INCOME TAX ACT, 1961; IN SHORT TH E ACT. HEARD BOTH THE PARTIES. CASE FILE(S) PERUSED. 2. THE ASSESSEES SOLE SUBSTANTIVE GRIEVANCE RAISED IN THE INSTANT APPEAL CHALLENGES CORRECTNESS OF BOTH THE LOWER AUTHORITIE S ACTION IMPOSING THE PENALTY IN ISSUE OF 3,13,571/- U/S 271(1)(C) OF THE ACT. IT EMERGES FRO M THE RELEVANT PENALTY NOTICE DATED 28.03.2013 THAT THE ASSESSING OFFICER DID NOT SPECIFY AS TO WHETHER THE ASSESSEE IS ACCUSED OF CONCEALMENT OF PARTICULARS O F ANY TAXABLE INCOME OR IT HAD ITA NO.382/KOL/2018 ASSESSMENT YEAR 2 010-11 MODEL FUELS PVT. LTD. VS ITO WD-3(3), KOL. PAGE 2 FURNISHED INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF SUCH INCOME. TH IS TRIBUNALS CO-ORDINATE BENCHS DECISION IN NISHITH KUMAR JAIN VS. ACIT IN ITA 961-964/KOL/2013 DECIDED ON 10-02- 2016. THE RELEVANT EXTRACT OF THE ORDER IS REPRODUC ED BELOW:- 9. WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE RIVAL SUBMISSIONS. THE A RGUMENT OF THE LEARNED COUNSEL FOR THE ASSESSEE WAS THAT THE SHOW CAUSE NO TICE U/S.274 OF THE ACT WHICH IS IN A PRINTED FORM AND THE AO HAS INDICATED IN THE SAID NOTICE AS TO WHETHER THE PENALTY IS SOUGHT TO BE LEVIED ON THE A SSESSEE FOR FURNISHING INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME OR CONCEALING PARTICULARS OF SUCH INCOME BY STRIKING OFF THE IRRELEVANT PORTION OF THE PRI NTED SHOW CAUSE NOTICE. ON THIS ASPECT WE FIND THAT IN THE SHOW CAUSE NOTIC E U/S.274 OF THE ACT THE AO HAS NOT STRUCK OUT THE IRRELEVANT PART. IT IS THER EFORE NOT SPELT OUT AS TO WHETHER THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS ARE SOUGHT TO BE LEVIED FOR FURNISHING INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME OR CONCEALING PARTICULARS OF SUCH INCOME . 9.1. THE HONBLE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT IN THE CASE O F CIT & ANR. V. MANJUNATHA COTTON AND GINNING FACTORY, 359 ITR 565 (KARN), HAS HELD THAT NOTICE U/S. 274 OF THE ACT SHOULD SPECIFICALLY STAT E AS TO WHETHER PENALTY IS BEING PROPOSED TO BE IMPOSED FOR CONCEALMENT OF PAR TICULARS OF INCOME OR FOR FURNISHING INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME. THE H ONBLE HIGH COURT HAS FURTHER LAID DOWN THAT CERTAIN PRINTED FORM WHERE A LL THE GROUNDS GIVEN IN SECTION 271 ARE GIVEN WOULD NOT SATISFY THE REQUIRE MENT OF LAW. THE COURT HAS ALSO HELD THAT INITIATING PENALTY PROCEEDINGS ON ON E LIMB AND FIND THE ASSESSEE GUILTY IN ANOTHER LIMB IS BAD IN LAW. IT WAS SUBMI TTED THAT IN THE PRESENT CASE, THE AFORESAID DECISION WILL SQUARELY APPLY AND ALL THE ORDERS IMPOSING PENALTY HAVE TO BE HELD AS BAD IN LAW AND LIABLE TO BE QUAS HED. 9.2. THE HONBLE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT IN THE CASE O F CIT & ANR. V. MANJUNATHA COTTON AND GINNING FACTORY (SUPRA) HAS LAID DOWN THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE MATTER OF IMPOSING PENALTY U/S.271(1)(C) OF THE ACT. NOTICE UNDER SECTION 274 59. AS THE PROVISION STANDS, THE PENALTY PROCEEDING S CAN BE INITIATED ON VARIOUS GROUND SET OUT THEREIN. IF THE ORDER PASSED BY THE AUTHORITY CATEGORICALLY RECORDS A FINDING REGARDING THE EXISTENCE OF ANY SA ID GROUNDS MENTIONED THEREIN AND THEN PENALTY PROCEEDINGS IS INITIATED, IN THE NOTICE TO BE ISSUED UNDER SECTION 274, THEY COULD CONVENIENTLY REFER TO THE SAID ORDER WHICH CONTAINS THE SATISFACTION OF THE AUTHORITY WHICH HA S PASSED THE ORDER. HOWEVER, IF THE EXISTENCE OF THE CONDITIONS COULD NOT BE DIS CERNED FROM THE SAID ORDER AND IF IT IS A CASE OF RELYING ON DEEMING PROVISION CON TAINED IN EXPLANATION-1 OR IN EXPLANATION-1(B), THEN THOUGH PENALTY PROCEEDINGS A RE IN THE NATURE OF CIVIL LIABILITY, IN FACT, IT IS PENAL IN NATURE. IN EITHE R EVENT, THE PERSON WHO IS ACCUSED OF THE CONDITIONS MENTIONED IN SECTION 271 SHOULD B E MADE KNOWN ABOUT THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THEY INTEND IMPOSING PENALTY ON HI M AS THE SECTION 274 MAKES IT CLEAR THAT ASSESSEE HAS A RIGHT TO CONTEST SUCH PROCEEDINGS AND SHOULD HAVE FULL OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE CASE OF THE DEPAR TMENT AND SHOW THAT THE ITA NO.382/KOL/2018 ASSESSMENT YEAR 2 010-11 MODEL FUELS PVT. LTD. VS ITO WD-3(3), KOL. PAGE 3 CONDITIONS STIPULATED IN SECTION 271(1)(C) DO NOT E XIST AS SUCH HE IS NOT LIABLE TO PAY PENALTY. THE PRACTICE OF THE DEPARTMENT SENDING A PRINTED FARM WHERE ALL THE GROUND MENTIONED IN SECTION 271 ARE MENTIONED W OULD NOT SATISFY REQUIREMENT OF LAW WHEN THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ASS ESSEE NOT REBUTTING THE INITIAL PRESUMPTION IS SERIOUS IN NATURE AND HE HAD TO PAY PENALTY FROM 100% TO 300% OF THE TAX LIABILITY. AS THE SAID PROVISIONS H AVE TO BE HELD TO BE STRICTLY CONSTRUED, NOTICE ISSUED UNDER SECTION 274 SHOULD S ATISFY THE GROUNDS WHICH HE HAS TO MEET SPECIFICALLY. OTHERWISE, PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL JUSTICE IS OFFENDED IF THE SHOW CAUSE NOTICE IS VAGUE. ON THE BASIS OF SUC H PROCEEDINGS, NO PENALTY COULD BE IMPOSED ON THE ASSESSEE. 60. CLAUSE (C) DEALS WITH TWO SPECIFIC OFFENCES, TH AT IS TO SAY, CONCEALING PARTICULARS OF INCOME OR FURNISHING INACCURATE PART ICULARS OF INCOME. NO DOUBT, THE FACTS OF SOME CASES MAY ATTRACT BOTH THE OFFENC ES AND IN SOME CASES THERE MAY BE OVERLAPPING OF THE TWO OFFENCES BUT IN SUCH CASES THE INITIATION OF THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS ALSO MUST BE FOR BOTH THE OFFEN CES. BUT DRAWING UP PENALTY PROCEEDINGS FOR ONE OFFENCE AND FINDING THE ASSESSE E GUILTY OF ANOTHER OFFENCE OR FINDING HIM GUILTY FOR EITHER THE ONE OR THE OTH ER CANNOT BE SUSTAINED IN LAW. IT IS NEEDLESS TO POINT OUT SATISFACTION OF THE EXI STENCE OF THE GROUNDS MENTIONED IN SECTION 271(1)(C) WHEN IT IS A SINE QUA NON FOR INITIATION OR PROCEEDINGS, THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS SHOULD BE CONFINED ONLY TO THOS E GROUNDS AND THE SAID GROUNDS HAVE TO BE SPECIFICALLY STATED SO THAT THE ASSESSEE WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THOSE GROUNDS. AFTER, HE PLACES HIS VERSION AND TRIES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM, IF AT ALL, PENALTY IS TO BE IMPOSED, IT SHOULD BE IMPOSED ONLY ON THE GROUNDS ON WHICH HE IS CALLED UPON TO A NSWER. IT IS NOT OPEN TO THE AUTHORITY, AT THE TIME OF IMPOSING PENALTY TO IMPOS E PENALTY ON THE GROUNDS OTHER THAN WHAT ASSESSEE WAS CALLED UPON TO MEET. O THERWISE THOUGH THE INITIATION OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS MAY BE VALID AND LEGAL, THE FINAL ORDER IMPOSING PENALTY WOULD OFFEND PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL JUSTICE AND CANNOT BE SUSTAINED. THUS ONCE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE INITIATED ON ONE GROUND, THE PENALTY SHOULD ALSO BE IMPOSED ON THE SAME GROUND. WHERE TH E BASIS OF THE INITIATION OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS IS NOT IDENTICAL WITH THE GROUN D ON WHICH THE PENALTY WAS IMPOSED, THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY IS NOT VALID. TH E VALIDITY OF THE ORDER OF PENALTY MUST BE DETERMINED WITH REFERENCE TO THE IN FORMATION, FACTS AND MATERIALS IN THE HANDS OF THE AUTHORITY IMPOSING TH E PENALTY AT THE TIME THE ORDER WAS PASSED AND FURTHER DISCOVERY OF FACTS SUB SEQUENT TO THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY CANNOT VALIDATE THE ORDER OF PENALTY WHICH, WHEN PASSED, WAS NOT SUSTAINABLE. 61. THE ASSESSING OFFICER IS EMPOWERED UNDER THE AC T TO INITIATE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS ONCE HE IS SATISFIED IN THE COURSE OF A NY PROCEEDINGS THAT THERE IS CONCEALMENT OF INCOME OR FURNISHING OF INACCURATE P ARTICULARS OF TOTAL INCOME UNDER CLAUSE (C). CONCEALMENT, FURNISHING INACCURAT E PARTICULARS OF INCOME ARE DIFFERENT. THUS THE ASSESSING OFFICER WHILE ISSUING NOTICE HAS TO COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT WHETHER IS IT A CASE OF CONCEALMENT OF INCOME OR IS IT A CASE OF FURNISHING OF INACCURATE PARTICULARS. THE APEX COUR T IN THE CASE OF ASHOK PAI REPORTED IN 292 ITR 11 AT PAGE 19 HAS HELD THAT CON CEALMENT OF INCOME AND ITA NO.382/KOL/2018 ASSESSMENT YEAR 2 010-11 MODEL FUELS PVT. LTD. VS ITO WD-3(3), KOL. PAGE 4 FURNISHING INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOME CARRY D IFFERENT CONNOTATIONS. THE GUJARAT HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF MANU ENGINEERING REPORTED IN 122 ITR 306 AND THE DELHI HIGH COURT IN THE CASE OF VIRGO M ARKETING REPORTED IN 171 TAXMAN 156, HAS HELD THAT LEVY OF PENALTY HAS T O BE CLEAR AS TO THE LIMB FOR WHICH IT IS LEVIED AND THE POSITION BEING UNCLEAR P ENALTY IS NOT SUSTAINABLE. THEREFORE, WHEN THE ASSESSING OFFICER PROPOSES TO I NVOKE THE FIRST LIMB BEING CONCEALMENT, THEN THE NOTICE HAS TO BE APPROPRIATEL Y MARKED. SIMILAR IS THE CASE FOR FURNISHING INACCURATE PARTICULARS OF INCOM E. THE STANDARD PROFORMA WITHOUT STRIKING OF THE RELEVANT CLAUSES WILL LEAD TO AN INFERENCE AS TO NON- APPLICATION OF MIND. THE FINAL CONCLUSION OF THE HONBLE COURT WAS AS FO LLOWS:- 63. IN THE LIGHT OF WHAT IS STATED ABOVE, WHAT EME RGES IS AS UNDER: A) PENALTY UNDER SECTION 271(1)(C) IS A CIVIL LIAB ILITY. B) MENS REA IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT FOR IMPOSI NG PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CIVIL OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES. C) WILLFUL CONCEALMENT IS NOT AN ESSENTIAL INGREDI ENT FOR ATTRACTING CIVIL LIABILITY. D) EXISTENCE OF CONDITIONS STIPULATED IN SECTION 2 71(1)(C) IS A SINE QUA NON FOR INITIATION OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS UNDER SECTION 271. E) THE EXISTENCE OF SUCH CONDITIONS SHOULD BE DISC ERNIBLE FROM THE ASSESSMENT ORDER OR ORDER OF THE APPELLATE AUTHORIT Y OR REVISIONAL AUTHORITY. F) EVEN IF THERE IS NO SPECIFIC FINDING REGARDING THE EXISTENCE OF THE CONDITIONS MENTIONED IN SECTION 271(1)(C), AT LEAST THE FACTS SET OUT IN EXPLANATION 1(A) & (B) IT SHOULD BE DISCERNIBLE FRO M THE SAID ORDER WHICH WOULD BY A LEGAL FICTION CONSTITUTE CONCEALME NT BECAUSE OF DEEMING PROVISION. G) EVEN IF THESE CONDITIONS DO NOT EXIST IN THE AS SESSMENT ORDER PASSED, AT LEAST, A DIRECTION TO INITIATE PROCEEDIN GS UNDER SECTION 271(L)(C) IS A SINE QUA NON FOR THE ASSESSMENT OFFI CER TO INITIATE THE PROCEEDINGS BECAUSE OF THE DEEMING PROVISION CONTAI NED IN SECTION 1(B). H) THE SAID DEEMING PROVISIONS ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THE ORDERS PASSED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF APPEALS AND THE COMMI SSIONER. I) THE IMPOSITION OF PENALTY IS NOT AUTOMATIC. J) IMPOSITION OF PENALTY EVEN IF THE TAX LIABILITY IS ADMITTED IS NOT AUTOMATIC. K) EVEN IF THE ASSESSEE HAS NOT CHALLENGED THE ORD ER OF ASSESSMENT LEVYING TAX AND INTEREST AND HAS PAID TAX AND INTER EST THAT BY ITSELF WOULD NOT BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE AUTHORITIES EITHER TO INI TIATE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS OR IMPOSE PENALTY, UNLESS IT IS DISCERNIBLE FROM TH E ASSESSMENT ORDER THAT, IT IS ON ACCOUNT OF SUCH UNEARTHING OR ENQUIR Y CONCLUDED BY AUTHORITIES IT HAS RESULTED IN PAYMENT OF SUCH TAX OR SUCH TAX LIABILITY ITA NO.382/KOL/2018 ASSESSMENT YEAR 2 010-11 MODEL FUELS PVT. LTD. VS ITO WD-3(3), KOL. PAGE 5 CAME TO BE ADMITTED AND IF NOT IT WOULD HAVE ESCAPE D FROM TAX NET AND AS OPINED BY THE ASSESSING OFFICER IN THE ASSESSMEN T ORDER. L) ONLY WHEN NO EXPLANATION IS OFFERED OR THE EXPL ANATION OFFERED IS FOUND TO BE FALSE OR WHEN THE ASSESSEE FAILS TO PRO VE THAT THE EXPLANATION OFFERED IS NOT BONA FIDE, AN ORDER IMPOSING PENALTY COULD BE PASSED. M) IF THE EXPLANATION OFFERED, EVEN THOUGH NOT SUB STANTIATED BY THE ASSESSEE, BUT IS FOUND TO BE BONA FIDE AND ALL FACT S RELATING TO THE SAME AND MATERIAL TO THE COMPUTATION OF HIS TOTAL INCOME HAVE BEEN DISCLOSED BY HIM, NO PENALTY COULD BE IMPOSED. N) THE DIRECTION REFERRED TO IN EXPLANATION IB TO SECTION 271 OF THE ACT SHOULD BE CLEAR AND WITHOUT ANY AMBIGUITY. O) IF THE ASSESSING OFFICER HAS NOT RECORDED ANY S ATISFACTION OR HAS NOT ISSUED ANY DIRECTION TO INITIATE PENALTY PROCEE DINGS, IN APPEAL, IF THE APPELLATE AUTHORITY RECORDS SATISFACTION, THEN THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS HAVE TO BE INITIATED BY THE APPELLATE AUTHORITY AND NOT THE ASSESSING AUTHORITY. P) NOTICE UNDER SECTION 274 OF THE ACT SHOULD SPEC IFICALLY STATE THE GROUNDS MENTIONED IN SECTION 271(1)(C), I.E., WHETH ER IT IS FOR CONCEALMENT OF INCOME OR FOR FURNISHING OF INCORREC T PARTICULARS OF INCOME Q) SENDING PRINTED FORM WHERE ALL THE GROUND MENTI ONED IN SECTION 271 ARE MENTIONED WOULD NOT SATISFY REQUIRE MENT OF LAW. R) THE ASSESSEE SHOULD KNOW THE GROUNDS WHICH HE H AS TO MEET SPECIFICALLY. OTHERWISE, PRINCIPLES OF NATURAL JUST ICE IS OFFENDED. ON THE BASIS OF SUCH PROCEEDINGS, NO PENALTY COULD BE IMPOSED TO THE ASSESSEE. S) TAKING UP OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS ON ONE LIMB AN D FINDING THE ASSESSEE GUILTY OF ANOTHER LIMB IS BAD IN LAW. T) THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS ARE DISTINCT FROM THE A SSESSMENT PROCEEDINGS. THE PROCEEDINGS FOR IMPOSITION OF PENA LTY THOUGH EMANATE FROM PROCEEDINGS OF ASSESSMENT, IT IS INDEPENDENT A ND SEPARATE ASPECT OF THE PROCEEDINGS. U) THE FINDINGS RECORDED IN THE ASSESSMENT PROCEED INGS IN SO FAR AS 'CONCEALMENT OF INCOME' AND 'FURNISHING OF INCORREC T PARTICULARS' WOULD NOT OPERATE AS RES JUDICATA IN THE PENALTY PR OCEEDINGS. IT IS OPEN TO THE ASSESSEE TO CONTEST THE SAID PROCEEDINGS ON MERITS. HOWEVER, THE VALIDITY OF THE ASSESSMENT OR REASSESSMENT IN PURSU ANCE OF WHICH PENALTY IS LEVIED, CANNOT BE THE SUBJECT MATTER OF PENALTY PROCEEDINGS. THE ASSESSMENT OR REASSESSMENT CANNOT BE DECLARED A S INVALID IN THE PENALTY PROCEEDINGS. (EMPHASIS SUPPLIED) 9.3. IT IS CLEAR FROM THE AFORESAID DECISION THAT O N THE FACTS OF THE PRESENT CASE THAT THE SHOW CAUSE NOTICE U/S. 274 OF THE ACT IS DEFECTIVE AS IT DOES NOT SPELL OUT THE GROUNDS ON WHICH THE PENALTY IS SOUGH T TO BE IMPOSED. FOLLOWING THE DECISION OF THE HONBLE KARNATAKA HIGH COURT, W E HOLD THAT THE ORDERS ITA NO.382/KOL/2018 ASSESSMENT YEAR 2 010-11 MODEL FUELS PVT. LTD. VS ITO WD-3(3), KOL. PAGE 6 IMPOSING PENALTY IN ALL THE ASSESSMENT YEARS HAVE T O BE HELD AS INVALID AND CONSEQUENTLY PENALTY IMPOSED IS CANCELLED. 9.4. FOR THE REASONS GIVEN ABOVE, WE HOLD THAT LEVY OF PENALTY IN THE PRESENT CASE CANNOT BE SUSTAINED. WE THEREFORE CANCEL THE ORDERS IMPOSING PENALTY ON THE ASSESSEE AND ALLOW THE APPEAL BY THE ASSESSEE. IN VIEW OF OUR ABOVE CONCLUSIONS ON THE ISSUE OF DEFECT IN SHOW CAUSE NO TICE U/S.274 OF THE ACT, WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH THE OTHER ARGUMENTS MADE ON ME RITS OF THE ORDERS IMPOSING PENALTY ON THE ASSESSEE. WE ADOPT THE ABOVE DETAILED REASONING MUTATIS MUTANDIS AND DIRECT THE ASSESSING OFFICER TO DELETE THE PENALTY. 3. THIS ASSESSEES APPEAL IS ALLOWED. ORDER PRONOUNCED IN OPEN COURT ON 26/12/2018 SD/- SD/- ( &) (( &) (J.SUDHAKAR REDDY) (S.S.GODARA) ACCOUNTANT MEMBER JUDICIAL MEMBER *DKP-SR.PS ) - 26/12/2018 / KOLKATA / COPY OF ORDER FORWARDED TO:- 1. /APPELLANT-MODEL FUELS PVT. LTD. C/O RSVPC & CO. 41 A, A.J.C. BOSE ROAD, SUITE NO.63, 6 TH FLOOR, KOLKATA-17 2. /RESPONDENT-ITO WARD-3(3) P-7, CHOWRINGHEE SQ. AAYK AR BHAWAN, KOL-69 3. , - / CONCERNED CIT 4. - - / CIT (A) 5. . ((, , , /DR, ITAT, KOLKATA 6. 2 / GUARD FILE. BY ORD ER/ , /TRUE COPY/ / ,,